Former SMU QB qualifies for Daytona 500

[Junior]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr- ... 25905.html

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Robert Richardson's chances of qualifying for the Daytona 500 were basically 50 percent.

As one of eight drivers competing for four open spots in the race, Richardson had to qualify for the race either based off his qualifying time during Sunday's front row qualifying or by racing his way in to the Feb. 21 race on Thursday night.

Daytona 500 qualifying can get a bit complicated. So we won't dive into the details here. But trust us when we say that Richardson qualified for the race Thursday night and will start 40th in the 40-car field.

"Man, that’s better than winning the lottery right there," the former SMU quarterback said.


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Richardson, a 2004 graduate of SMU, played high school football in McKinney, Texas. He was a backup quarterback at SMU for a season under coach Mike Cavan and then stopped playing football to start racing cars. Unlike many drivers, he didn't start racing until he was past high school.
But while Richardson's racing career took off more than a professional football career likely would, he wasn't actively preparing for the 2016 season. His participation in the 500 is a one-race deal with BK Racing and Richardson was out on his ranch north of Dallas/Fort Worth when he found out he was going to get to attempt to qualify.

“I was actually out mowing my hay pastures a couple weeks ago and got the phone call that we were putting this deal together so very, very blessed to be here," Richardson said.

Sunday will be Richardson's second Daytona 500 and ninth Sprint Cup Series start overall. He's made 129 starts in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR's No. 2 series, mostly driving for team owned by his father.

He was one of four drivers attempting to qualify for the race for BK Racing on Thursday. With two cars guaranteed to race in the 500, BK had two of the eight cars going for the final two spots. The two BK cars got those two spots. Richardson made the race because teammate Matt DiBenedetto, who was fast during front-row qualifying, finished his qualifying race high enough for Richardson to get in the race.

Richardson is still paying attention to his Mustangs too. He's optimistic about the progress SMU showed in Chad Morris' first season as coach despite a 2-10 record in 2015.

"It's looking up for this season," Richardson said.

[Digetydog]

Yesterday, driving to work, he was on the radio talking about trying to get into the race and plugging SMU.

Unfortunately, he is on an underfunded team and is likely to finish at the back of the pack.

[MustangStealth]

Ahh, the Cavan QB parade.

Josh McCown - transferred, then NFL
Kelan Luker - left to be in a band
Robert Richardson - left to race cars
David Page - left to be an accountant


Who else am I forgetting?

[No Quarter]

I don't remember the name Robert or Bobby Richardson. Was he a walk-on or scholarship player?

[Digetydog]

I don't remember the name Robert or Bobby Richardson. Was he a walk-on or scholarship player?

I am pretty sure that he was a walk-on. In describing his experience at SMU on the radio, he mentioned not being big enough for D1 football.

[mrydel]

But a hell of a shortstop

[No Quarter]

But a hell of a shortstop

I thought the baseball program at SMU ended long before Cavan's day. Am I wrong, or did Richardson play on a club team or where /when?

[mrydel]

The Bobby Richardson with whom I am familiar is a former NY Yankee.

[Dwan]

Lets not forget Chris Sanders - transferred out, made it to the NFL

[PonySnob]

Lets not forget Chris Sanders - transferred out, made it to the NFL

Josh McCown had a nice NFL career

[PoconoPony]

But a hell of a shortstop

I thought the baseball program at SMU ended long before Cavan's day. Am I wrong, or did Richardson play on a club team or where /when?

Ended in 1976 as a casualty of the advent of women's sports.

[mrydel]

And I stand corrected. Bobby Richardson was a Yankee second baseman. He paired with shortstop Tony Kubek for an excellent double play combo.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

I hope he hangs with them tomorrow!

[Digetydog]

I hope he hangs with them tomorrow!

Because of the draft, he has a puncher's shot of hanging in there with the better teams until the end, but he will probably finish up in the 30's.

[ponyte]

He is safer behind the wheel of a NASCAR race car than the SMU offensive line back then.